WILMINGTON, MA — In a last minute development, resident Kevin MacDonald pulled nomination papers to run for Town Moderator on Wednesday, just two days before the Friday, March 9 filing deadline.

MacDonald will have just 48 hours to collect the necessary 50 signatures from registered voters. He deployed a similar strategy last election season, pulling nomination papers for Selectmen last year just one day before the filing deadline. He was able to secure a spot on the ballot, but ultimately suffered a third place loss to Selectmen Ed Loud and Mike McCoy.

Peterson, who is seeking his second 3-year term as Town Moderator, and MacDonald are no stranger to one another. Peterson ejected MacDonald from two of the last three Annual Town Meetings after MacDonald ignored repeated warnings and continued to display improper behavior.

Last year, the Annual Meeting came to a literal standstill for five minutes after MacDonald was told to leave the auditorium and refused. Leading up to the ejection, MacDonald was called to order four times by Peterson for not following instructions. MacDonald refused to leave his seat when asked to do so by the police. Instead of having MacDonald forcibly removed, Peterson asked Police Chief Michael Begonis to sit next to MacDonald for the duration of the meeting. Peterson also noted that he would no longer recognize MacDonald if he attempted to speak. Shortly thereafter, MacDonald got back up to speak at a microphone and – at that point – was escorted out by the police.